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Microfiche 

Series. 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Inst 


MH 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


oreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductiorkt  hiatoriquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Note 


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0 


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Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul6e 


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Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


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Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
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distortion  Is  long  de  la  merge  int^rieure 


D 


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II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
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D 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  rati  j  checked  below/ 
Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-desi 


10X 


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ItX 


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10X 


20X 


liographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


the  best 

turej>  of  this 

inique, 

the 

tly  change 

ked  beiow. 


d/ 
:ul6e 


B  or  black)/ 
bleue  ou  noire) 

ans/ 
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I'ombre  ou  de  la 
t^rieure 

ration  may 

>r  possible,  these 

/ 

lanches  ajout^es 

tent  dans  !e  texte, 

,  ces  pagas  n'ont 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
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□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

I — I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


D 
D 


Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicuides 

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I — I  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

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I      I  Includes  supplementS'v  material/ 


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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


itij  checked  below/ 
luction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

18X  22X 


20X 


26X 


30X 


1^ 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  theriks 
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Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
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The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
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whichever  applies. 

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required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

4 

5 

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L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grfice  it  la 
giiiirositA  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 


St  quality 
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Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
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premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  teile 
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Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
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symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  dtre 
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.      BlOlxRAPHICAL  NOTES 

CONCERNING 

IeNERAL    flCHARD    ^ONTGOMERY 

TOGKTIIEP    WITH 

HITHERTO  UNPUBLISHED  LETTERS. 

1876. 


40, 


.  •'■'•*. 


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BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES 


CONCBRNIN* 


/&• 


jENERAL  Richard  Uontgomery 

0 


TOGETHER   WITH 


HITHERTO  UNPUBLISHED  LETTERS. 


1876.      ^      ■  ;-      . 


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"Kewn"  Book  and  Job  PrlntlnK  BniiM,  Msln  Street,  cor.  Oard»n.  l»ou«l.fcf,.p,(« 


.airiaa    i..ir<-,'i«iii., 


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The  letters  pnblislied  in  this  ])ape.-,  and  the  biographical 
notes  concerning  CJeneial  Montgomery,  written  by  Mrs. 
Montgomery,  have  been  carefully  transcribeu  from  tlie 
original  nianuscriptH. 

L.  L,  H. 

Montgomery  Place, 

■November  10,  187d. 


-■'r'^lT'h't-'*"*'*'^"'^*     I"'""" 


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BIOQRAPHICAL  NOTES 


COMCERMINQ 


GENERAL  RICHARD  MONTGOMERY : 

WITH 
VnpubUtlMd  LetUrt  and  ManuteripU. 


AmoDg  that  omall  band  of  military  leadera  who 
suared  the  perils  of  our  early  struggle  for  independence, 
the  name  and  fame  of  Richard  Montgomery  should  bo 
held  especially  d-iar  by  the  people  of  Ne'^  York.  He 
has  now  been  dead  a  hujdred  years,  ye.  during  that 
period  but  one  short  biography  of  him  has  been  written  ; 
and  although  his  memory  is  still  revered  by  the  Ameri- 
can people,  little  is  generally  known  of  his  personal 
history.  Few  and  meagre  are  the  materials  left  to  aid 
us  in  attaining  accurate  knowledge  other  than  that 
cuntai  led  in  the  public  records  of  his  day.  What  we 
have  ft.  und  is  nevertheless  of  value,  from  the  fact  that 
in  these  hitherto  unpublished  docuiLents,  the  prominent 
characteristics  of  General  Montgomery  appear  otrongly 
marked  throughout ;  and  every  anecdote  and  tradition, 
every  letter,  however  trifling,  contains  proofii  of  hia 
keen  love  of  justice,  of  his  unwavering  devotion  to  liber- 
ty, of  his  indomitable  \^ill  and  courage,  and  of  h*s 
abiding  sense  of  duty. 


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It  is  not  the  province  of  the  writer  of  this  article  to 
discuss  the  professional  merits  of  General  Montgomery, 
or  even  to  attempt  any  consecutive  narration  of  his 
campaign  in  Canada.  To  string  together  the  accounts 
that  have  been  furnished  by  the  letters  and  manu- 
scripts preserved  at  Montgomery  Place,  to  present  these 
fragmentary  but  authentic  papers  to  the  public  in  en- 
tire I'orm,  and  to  bring  the  reader  into  closer  acquaint- 
ance with  the  hero  of  Quebec, — such  is  our  purpose. 

General  Montgomery  was  by  birth  an  Irishman.  In 
his  youth  he  served  in  the  British  army,  during  the 
French  and  Indian  War.  Always  an  ardent  lover  of 
liberty,  he  had  a  great  admiration  for  republican  insti- 
tutions. Perhap;,,  while  he  served  with  honor  in  the 
British  army,  hie  Irish  blood  may  have  inclined  him  to 
be  restive  under  British  rule.  Be  this  as  it  may,  on  his 
return  to  England,  after  the  close  of  the  seven  years' 
conflict,  he  is  said  to  have  formed  friendships  with  Fox, 
Burke  and  Barre,  becoming  deeply  imbued  with  their 
views  o\'  the  rights  of  the  Colonies.  Superseded  and 
disappointed  in  the  purchase  f  f  a  majority,  he  quitted 
England  forever;  to  make  this  country  the  home  of  his 
adoption.  .     • 

While  still  a  Captain  in  the  British  army,  Mont- 
gomery Ijad  met  Janet  Livingston,  the  daughter  of 
Robert  R.  Livinjrston,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  King's 
Bench.  He  was  on  his  way  to  a  distant  post,  and  had 
come  on  shore  with  al!  the  officers  of  his  company  at 
Clermont,  Judge  Livingston's  country  place  o"  the 
Hudson.  Subsecjuently  when  he  returned  to  settle  in 
America,  he  renewed  his  acquaintance  with  her,  end 
with  the  consent  and  apj»robation  of  her  parents,  mar 
ried  her,  in  July,  1773.  Among  the  papers  before  us 
are  the  letter  of  Montgomery  to  Judge  Livingston, 
asking  for  the  hand  of  his  daughter,  and  Judge  Living- 


^ 


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"*% 


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[Mi 


Eton's  reply.  This  correspondence  shows  the  stately 
steps  by  which  matrimooy  was  approached  in  the  olden 
time.  ,       :.  ;c ,  ;"'"."         .;',/';-' 

"  KrxGSBRiDGE,  May  2()th,  1773 
"Sie:— Though  I  have  been  extremely  anxious  to  solicit  your 
approbation,  together  with  Mrs.  Livingston's,  in  an  aflair  which 
nearly  concerns  my  happiness  and  no  less  affects  your  daughteri 
I  have,  nevertheless,  been  hitherto  deterred  from  this  indis- 
pensable attention  by  reflecting  that  from  so  short  an  ac- 
quaintance as  I  had  the  honor  to  make  with  you  I  conld  not 
flatter  myself  with  your  wmction  in  a  matter  so  very  important 
as  to  influence  the  future  welfare  of  a  child.  I  therefore  wished 
for  some  go<^d-natured  friend  to  undertake  the  kind  office  of 
giving  a  favorable  impression ;  but,  finding  you  have  already 
had  intimation  of  my  desire  to  be  honored  with  yo»ir  daughter's 
hand,  and  apprehensive  lost  my  silence  should  bear  an  unfavor- 
able construction,  I  have  ventiire<l  at  lust  to  reqr^st,  sir,  that 
yoii  and  Mrs  Livngston  will  consent  to  a  union  .vhich  to  me 
has  the  most  i)roniising  appearrnre  of  happiness,  from  the  lady's 
uncommon  merit  and  amiable  worth.  Nor  will  it  be  an  incon- 
siderable ad<Htion  to  be  favored  by  such  respectable  charactefli 
with  the  title  of  son,  should  I  be  so  fort:inate  as  io  deserve  it. 
And  if  to  contribut«  to  the  happiness  of  a  beloved  daughter  can 
claim  any  share  with  tender  parents,  I  hope  hereafter  to  have 
some  title  to  your  esteem. 

"  I  am,  sir,  4i- . 

"  With  great  respect, 

"  Your  mi>st  ol»edient  servant, 
■i-J'   ^/\3u^f^'  'JM---ii    i/V'v        "  Ku-HARD  Montoomkhy." 

'     '  '•  Clabemont,  2l8T  Junk,  1773. 

"Sir: — 1  received  your  polite  letter  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Law- 
rence at  Poughkeepsie.  from  whence  I  returned  last  night. 

"I  was  there  so  engaged  in  the  business  of  Court,  both  night 
and  day,  that  I  had  no  time  to  answer  it,  and  tho'  I  would  have 
stolen  an  hour  for  that  puriK>s(>,  it  recpiired  a  previous  consulta- 
tion with  Mrs.  Livin^^ston. 

"  Since  we  heard  of  your  intentions,  solicitous  for  our  daugh- 
ter's happiness,  we  have  made  such  enquiries  as  have  given  a 
great  deal  of  satisfaction.  We  both  approve  of  your  proposal 
and  heartily  wish  your  union  may  yield  you  all  the  happineiw 
you  seem  to  expect,  to  whicn  we  shaP  always  be  ready  to  con- 


MV 


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tribute  all  in  our  power.  Whenever  it  suits  your  convenience, 
we  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here,  and  in  the 
meantime,  I  remain,  with  due  respect, 

"  Y'r  most  humble  servant, 

"  Robert  R.  Livingston." 

Mrs.  Montgomery  wrote  a  series  of  notes  to  be  used 
for  a  memoir  of  her  husband.  No  part  of  her  simple, 
accurate  and  quaint  narrative  cau  be  omitted  without 
loss. 


"  General  Montgomery  traced  his  origin  from 

that  Count  de  Montgomery,  who,  unfortunately,  in  play- 
ing with  foils  with  his  King,  Henry  II.  of  France, 
wounded  him  in  the  eye,  thuw  causing  his  death.  For 
this  mishap  the  Count  was  brought  to  the  scaffold.  His 
family  afterwards  went  to  the  Low  Countries.  One  of 
their  descendants  came  to  England  with  William,  Prince 
of  Orange,  and  commanded  a  regiment  during  the  wars 
of  Ireland,  where,  either  by  his  prowess  or  his  wealth, 
he  owned  three  estates.  General  Montgomery  was 
born  in  Dublin,  and  was  educated  in  the  College  of 
DubUn.  His  father,  Thomas  Montgomery,  of  Dcnegall, 
had  three  sons,  Alexander,  John  and  Richard,  and  one 
daughter,  married  to  Viacount  Ranelagh.  The  eldest 
son,  Alexander,  was  an  officer  under  Wolfe,  in  the  con- 
quest of  Canada,  and  for  forty  years  member  of  Parlia- 
ment for  the  county  of  Donegal).  John  died  at  Lisbon, 
a  noted  merchant.  Richard  was  the  third  son.  Hk 
mother  was  an  English  lady  of  fortune,  whose  estate 
was  settled  on  her  younger  chihlren,  the  eldest  son 
having  inherited  the  estate  of  his  uncle.  Richard  was 
placed  in  the  British  army  in  the  17th  regiment,  by  tie 
ailvice  of  his  brother  Alexander,  his  senior  by  many 
years.  He  was  at  the  taking  ot  Caiie  Breton,  with  Am- 
herst.    The  latter   K.arched  to   reinforce   Wolfe.     He 


Si 


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r^pyppiayii|wiiiij|<iprwtMiiiiiii)Miiyi)  niiii,^ 


used  to  say  that  his  march  from  Albany  under  General 
Amherat  was  very  ijevero.  Amherst  did  not  go  to 
Quebec ;  when  he  heard  of  the  victory  he  returned  to 
New  York.  Lord  Monckton,  wlio  was  Colonel  of  the 
17th  Regiment,  was  then  Governor  of  New  York.  The 
duty  on  this  expedition  was  very  severe.  All  the  duty 
of  this  regiment  was  in  America.  For  this  reason,  when 
the  Scamp  Act  was  to  be  enforced,  order  was  given  to 
employ  that  regiment,  then  in  England,  which  Mont- 
gomery, receiving  with  several  others,  declared  publicly 
that  having  lived  so  long  in  America,  they  would  throw 
up  their  comuissions  if  the  order  were  persisted  in. 

"  Montgomery  had  the  promise  of  a  majority  in  the 
year  1771,  and  had  lodged  his  money  for  the  purchase, 
when  he  was  overlooked,  and  another  purchased  over 
him.  This  gave  him  a  disgust  for  the  service.  He  im- 
mediately sold  out,  and  in  1772-3  came  to  New  York, 
purchased  a  farm  at  Kiogsbi-idge,  and  in  July,  1773, 
was  married.  He  then  removed  to  Rhinebeck,  where 
be  built  a  mill  and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  house. 

"  Unknown  as  his  modesty  led  him  to  suppose  himself 
to  be,  he  was  cL  ^sen,  early  in  1775,  one  of  the  Council 
of  Fifty,  to  New  York,  from  Duchess  County.  Al- 
though he  received  this  call  with  surprise,  and  left  his 
etiromeut  with  no  small  regret,  he  hesitated  not  a 
moment.  The  times  were  dangerous,  but  he  shrank 
not  from  the  duties  of  a  citizen.  While  thus  engaged 
Congress  determined  to  raise  troops  in  defence  of  our 
rights.  Philip  Schuyler  was  appointed  the  Major- 
general,  and  the  appointment  of  Brigadier-general  was 
tendered  to  Montgomery.  Before  accepting  it  he  came 
into  his  wife's  room  and  asked  her  to  make  up  for  him 
the  libbon-cockade  which  was  to  be  placed  in  his  hat. 
He  saw  her  emotion,  and  marked  tlio  starting  tear. 
With    persuasive  gentleness   he  isaid  to    her:    'Oar 


■ffi.':!.  w'j 


^-" 


-  V  >■ 


•^^MHilS 


mmm 


I  'rii.ii||i|ipi)i<pjpii»WWP* 


t 


6 

country  is  in  danger.  UnBolicited,  in  two  instances, 
I  have  been  distinguished  by  two  honorable  ap- 
pointments. As  a  politician  I  could  not  serve  them 
As  a  soldier  I  think  I  can.  Shall  J  then  accept  the 
one,  and  shrink  from  the  other  in  dread  of  danger? 
My  honor  is  engaged.' 

"  Mrs.  Montgomery  took  the  ribbon,  and  he  continued  • 
*  I  am  satisHed.  Tru.st  me.  You  shall  never  blush  for 
your  Montgomery.' 

"  On  his  departure  he  remained  only  a  moment  to  bid 
Judge  Livingston  farewell,  who  said,  'Take  care  of 
your  life.'  <0f  my  honor,  you  would  say,  sir,'  was 
Montgomery's  answer.  m  < 

"  In  passing  his  own  villa  he  said :  •  I  must  not  suffer 
myself  to  look  that  way.' 
^  "  He  had  hardly  received  this  appointment  when  it 
was  announced  that  General  Washington  was  to  pass 
through  New  York,  on  his  way  to  Boston.  On  the 
morning  of  his  expected  arrival  the  whole  town  was  in 
a  state  of  commction.  All  the  militia  was  paraded, 
bells  ringing,  drums  beating,— and  in  that  moq^ent  the 
British  Governor  Tryon  arrived.  As  he  landed  he 
,  ,  looked  with  delight  at  the  general  excitement  that  pre- 

vailed, and  said:   'Is  all  this  for  me?'    When  two  of 
his  counsellors  took  him  mournfully  by  the  hand,  and 
led    him   to  a   house  in   Broadway,   where   he  nearly 
fainted  when  he  saw  the  great  Washington  pass,  at- 
tended by  a  crowd  of  patriots !     At  a  window,  next  to 
the  City  Hotel,  I  was  happUy  so  placed  that  I  could 
see  him.     Here  General  Schuyler  and   General  Mont- 
,     ;j         gomery   received   their    commissions   and   instructions. 
,    ;-         General    Montgomery    told     General    Washington    he 
„,^  wished  he  would  allow  him  to  go  with  him;  to  which 

.      •'  ,      Washington  answered,  'Sir,  you  have  more  important 
business  to  attend  to;— we   trust  everything  to   you.' 


■;ir4iiAiiilnliliirti'u.Ailrti^«iit.i*'i 


|ppqiil,lull.lRI"ll,ff.i 


iDJWIMHmp 


Wii!»i«l!imPJ»WiM 


WNpNWafjMpiM 


PPf 


ices, 
ap- 

tern, 
the 

jer? 

led: 
for 

bid 
>  of 
wao 

ffor 

t  it 
•aset 
the 
i  ia 
ed, 
the 
he 
>re- 

fOf 

,nd 
rly 
at- 
to 
:ld 
nt- 
a». 
h« 
ch 
,nt 
u.' 


Washiogtoa'a  stay  at  New  York  vras  but  a  mumeut. 
He  drove  a  sulky,  witii  a  pair  of  white  horses ;  his 
drees  was  blue,  with  purple  ribbon  sash, — a  lovely 
plume  of  feathers  in  his  hat.  All  this  was  a  most 
mortifying  sight  to  Governor  Try  on. 

"  The  next  day,  when  Montgomery  opened  his  com- 
mission, he  found  all  the  commissions  of  his  brigade 
left  in  blank.     Such  was  the  trust  reposed  iu  him. 

"  Plots  were  soon  tiiscovered,  fomented  by  Governor 
Tryon  and  his  counsellors.  The  committee  determined 
to  check  them  by  contining  the  Governor ;  but  General 
Montgomery  took  a  milder  course,  and  advised  the 
Governor  to  embark  again  for  England  rather  than  be 
insulted  in  this  country.  This  advice  the  Governor 
took  that  very  night,  and  offered  his  best  thanks  to  the 
General. 

•'  A  few  days  later,  the  accounts  of  the  battle  of  Bun- 
ker Hill  arrived.  The  papers  bad  a  deep  black  margin. 
Blood  had  been  shed  an(j  rhe  Americans  had  been 
beaten.  Our  house  was  tilled  with  a  crowd  of  long 
faces.  General  Montgomery  met  them  with  a  smile  of 
satisfaction.  'Gentlemen,'  said  he,  'I  am  content. 
What  I  feared  has  not  happened.  The  Americans  will 
iig^t,  and  I  am  well  pleased  at  this  experiment.'  The 
Tories,  however,  made  a  great  uproar.  Many  ladies 
came  to  us  for  protection,  and  they  had  a  thousand 
fears  without  occasion  for  any.  No  gentlemen  offered 
to  take  commissions  in  the  army.  The  mechanics 
alone  offered,  and  General  Montgomery  accepted  them 
without  demur.  When  the  brigade  was  filled  several 
gentlemen  camo  forward,  but  he  refused  them  the 
places,  telling  them  they  should  have  been  first,  and 
were  too  late. 

"  The  General  left  for  Ticonderoga  with  four  thousand 
men,  but  many  left  him  and  many  sickened ;  many  ran 


A 


mmmmm 


8 


N 


at  the  shake  of  a  leaf.  One  of  these  was  named 
Quackenbosh,  who  was  very  bold  until  some  attack 
was  determined  or ,  then  he  so  frequently  entreated  for 
leave  of  absence,  that  General  Montgomery  said  to 
some  one  passing  by :  '  I  think  this  quake-in-the-bush 
had  best  be  gone  altogether.' 

"  Congress  at  three  ditferent  times  refused  to  accept 
General  Montgomery's  resignation.  They  continually 
promised  him  ten  thousand  men  and  always  failed  in 
their  support.  His  patience  was  exhausted.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief, General  Schuyler,  was  ill,  causing 
weeks  of  delay  in  the  campaign.  When  he  arrived, 
they  embarked  immediately.  On  landing  at  Fort 
Chamblay,  a  gun  was  tired,  and  the  Commander  ordered 
the  troops  to  retreat,  when  another  attack  of  illness 
obliged  General  Schuyler  to  return  home.  The  fort 
soon  after  surrendered.  It  was  remarkable  that  the 
Commander  of  St.  Johns  was  the  very  Major  who  had 
superseded  General  Montgomery  in  purchasing  the 
majority. 

"  How  Montreal  surrendered  is  well  known.  That 
General  Montgomery  supposed  it  might  have  been  bet- 
ter defended,  is  concluded  from  one  expression  of  his. 
He  said :  '  I  suffered  the  officers  to  pass  my  fort  with- 
out notice.  Because  I  had  placed  a  few  cannon  on  the 
bank— I  blush  for  His  Majesty's  officers!— they  actu- 
ally preferred  beiug  made  prisoners  !  Carleton  has  es- 
caped, the  more 's  the  pity.'  General  Montgomery  in- 
tended quartering  for  the  winter  at  Montreal.  His 
men  were  in  rags  and  his  provisions  exhausted.  He 
had  written  repeatedly  for  more  troops  and  none  were 
sent.  Twice  he  sent  in  his  resignation  and  twice  it  was 
refused.  The  wild  march  of  Arnold  up  the  Kennebec 
altered  all  the  plans,  and  obliged  Montgomery  to  sacri- 
flee  himself."  :.*,.,  ,  ' 


v>C'  ■?->.; 


ii 


1 


-  ywOTWitifijiiiMiiiftjiwjiiwiwpiipiiwpj'iaaiii^ 


i«pn 


Here  the  MB.  euds,  much  to  oar  regret.  It  has  the 
vitality  which  contempuraneous  history  finds  in  the 
journals  of  every  day ;  a  vitality  vainly  sought  except 
from  the  pen  of  an  .eye-witness  to  the  stirring  events 
which  move  men's  souls. 

At  the  time  of  Montgomery's  mamage,  war  was  only 
dreamed  of  bv  the  few  v  ';o  saw  the  storm  in  the 
distance.  Studious  in  his  tastes  and  habits,  he 
earnestly  wished  for  retirement.  "  Ambition,"  says  Mrs. 
Montgomery,  "seemed  to  have  no  part  in  him."  He 
was  exceedingly  fond  of  country  life.  Books  and  the 
familv  circle  with  which  he  had  connected  himself 
constituted  bis  happiness.  He  purchased  a  well- 
stocked  farm  and  a  mill ;  where,  as  his  brother-in-law 
and  biographer.  General  Armstrong,  says,  he  prose- 
cuted his  new  career  of  agriculture  "  with  that  combi- 
nation of  diligence  and  discretion  which  directed  all  his 
movements."       -  ^■;; ;  --  i.i't  •; -. ;: ,''  .<■ '  - i%:-,;"  ■  ^. : ' ■' .v!.^;^^'.-,;;^'  ■ 

Two  years  of  quiet  and  domestic  happiness  were 
broken  in  upon  by  Moi^tgomery's  b^ing  sent  as  a  dele- 
gate from  Dutchess  County  to  the  first  Provincial  Con- 
vention, held  in  New  York  in  April,  1775.  He  never 
thought  himself  tit  for  civil  service,  and  with  reluctance 
took  the  place  assigned  him.  But  his  heart  was  in  the 
movement.  With  such  feelings  of  ardent  devotion  did 
be  give  himself  up  to  the  cause  of  American  liberty 
that,  when  called  upon  by  Congress  to  quit  the  re- 
tirement of  his  farm  in  order  to  become  one  of  the  first 
eight  brigadier-generals,  he  wroto  to  a  friend,  "  that  the 
honor,  though  entirely  unexpected  and  undeserved,  be 
felt  to  be  the  will  of  an  oppressed  people,  which  most 
be  obeyed ; "  and  he  accordingly  went  immediately 
into  active  service. 

Mrs.  Montgomery  accompanied  him  on  his  way  as  far 


^ 


/ 


10 

as  Saratoga.     In  after-years  their  parting  was  described 
as  foUowo,  by  his  brother-in-law,  Edward  Livingston, 
who  was  at  the  time  a  boy  of  eleven:  "It  was  just  be- 
fore General  Montgomery  left  for  Canada.     We  were 
only  three  in  her  room, — he,  my  sister,  and  myself.    He 
was  sitting  in  a  musing  attitude  between  his  wife,  who, 
sad  and  silent,  seemed  to  be  reading  the  future,  and 
myself,  whose  childish  admiration  was  divided  between 
the  glittering  uniform  and  the  martial  bearing  of  him 
who   wore  it.      Suddenly  the  silence  was  broken  by 
Montgomery's  deep  voice,  repeating  the  line,  ''Tis  a  mad 
world,  my  masters.'     *  I  once  thought  so,'  he  continued, 
'now  I  know  it.'     The  tone,  the  words,  the  circum- 
stances all  overawed  me,  and  I  noiselessly  retired.     I 
have  since  reflected  upon  the  bearing  of  this  quotation, 
forcing  itself  upon  the  young  soldier  at  that  moment. 
Perhaps  he  might  have  been  contrasting  the  sweet  quiet 
of  the  life  he  held  in  his  grasp,  with  the  tumults  and 
perils  of  the  camp  which  he  had  resolved  to  seek  with- 
out one  regretful  glance  at  what  he  was  leavmg  behind. 
These  were  the  last  words  I  heard  from  his  lips,  and  I 
never  saw  him  more." 

We  turn  next  to  the  letters  written  by  General  Mont- 
/^meryto  his  wife  during  his  last  brilliant  and  memora- 
ble campaign.  The  correspondence  was  not  voluminous. 
Death  soon  put  an  end  to  it,  and  at  that  time  communi- 
cation between  Canada  and  New  York  was  slow  and 
diflBcult.  In  the  most  favorable  weather  the  sloops 
which  plied  the  Hudson  required  a  week  to  go  from 
Albany  to  New  York.  General  Montgomery's  letters 
are  but  nine  in  number,  and  we  havp  copied  those  that 
are  of  most  interest  for  the  benefit  of  our  readers.  Oa 
comparison  of  dates  some  of  them  prove  to  have  been 
two  months  on  the  way  from  Montreal  or  other  parts  of 
Canada,  to  Rhinebeck,  where  Mrs.  Montgomery  lived. 


-.t-&.JWii^  ^if^JfrBeifiiir.  ai  .1 . 1-  i^  »j 


11 


■:-r'. 


"  Isle  aux  Noix,  Sept.  12th,  1776. 
"  I  am,  my  dear  J«net,  bo  exceedingly  out  of  spirits  and  so 
chagrined  witli  the  behavior  of  the  troops,  that  I  most  heartDy 
repent  having  undertaicen  to  lead  them.  I  went  down  the  river 
the  other  day  with  800  or  900  men,  in  order  to  cut  off  the  com- 
munication between  St.  Johns  and  Montreal.  The  detachment 
marched  off  from  the  boats  at  night,  and  in  less  than  half  an 
hour,  returned  in  the  utmost  confusion,  some  little  noise  having 
b«en  made  by  a  fe^  of  our  own  stragglers  in  the  bushes.  They 
gave  way  near  the  front,  and  the  panic  spreading,  they  n  jre  like 
sheep,  with  some  few  exceptions, — nor  can  I  say  who  behaved 
worst.  With  solicitation,  entreaty  and  reproaches,  I  got  them 
off  again,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  they  came  back,  having  be* 
haved  almost  as  infamously  as  at  first.  In  their  last  excursion 
the  advanced  guard  surprised  a  Canadian  ofl9cer  and  some  In- 
dians in  a  hut;  the  officer  and  one  Indian  were  killed,  but  the 
firing  of  two  or  three  shot  set  the  whole  line  a-firing  without 
any  obje(!t.  The  commanding  officer,  who  was  Ritzma,  repre- 
sented the  impracticability  of  getting  the  detachment  off.  The 
next  morning  I  tried  again  with  as  little  success.  In  ilhort,  sach 
a  set  of  niisillanimous  wretches  never  were  collected.  Could  I, 
with  decency,  leave  the  army  in  its  present  situation,  I  would 
not  serve  an  hour  longer.  I  am  much  afraid  the  general  char- 
acter of  the  people  has  been  too  justly  represented.  However, 
there  are  some  whose  spirit  I  have  confidence  in ;  they  are 
taking  pains  with  the  men,  and  they  flatter  me  with  hopes  of 
prevailing  on  them  to  retrieve  their  characters.  We  were  so  un- 
fortunate as  to  have  some  Canadians  witnesses  of  our  disgrace ! 
What  they  will  think  of  the  bravi'  Bostoniani,  I  know  not ! 
My  own  feelings  tell  me  they  are  not  likely  to  put  confidence 
in  such  friends.  Shew  this  to  your  father  only ;  it  can't  ba 
of  service  to  our  common  cause  to  make  known  our  weakneaa. 
May  I  have  better  news  to  write  hereafter  I  ,,    . 

"  Adieu,  my  dearest  Janet ; 

"  Believe  me  most  affectionately  yours, 

■      .  .  "  RiCUABO  MONTOOMKRY." 


u 


"  Isle  aux  Noix,  Sept.  6th. 
"  My  Dear  Janet  : —      ix ..:%.. 

"  I  tnke  the  earliest  opportunity  of  letting  you  hear  I  am  well. 
We  have  made  an  excursion  to  St.  Johns  with  the  small  corps 
with  which  I  left  Ticonderoga.  We  found  the  enemy's  vessel, 
which  mounts  sixteen  guns,  almost  ready  to  sail.    We  had  but 


.:  /. 


ip- 


-  ,„(n,niWI 


T 
I   I 


12 


two  pieces  of  artillery  with  carriages— by  no  means  sufficient  to 
undertake  a  siege,  or  to  destroy  the  vesBcl,  which  is  under  the 
cannon  of  the  fort.  It  has  therefore  been  judged  expedient  by 
everybody  to  put  in  practice  the  first  project  of  throwing  a  boout 
over  the  channel  at  the  Isle  aux  Noix,  which  we  are  now  about 
getting  ready.  We  have  not  as  yet  received  int«?lligence  that 
can  be  relied  on  with  respect  to  the  intentions  of  the  Canadians ; 
but  a  Mr.  Uazen,  who  lives  at  St.  Johns,  and  is  a  sensible  man, 
is  of  opinion  that  tho'  they  will  not  take  up  arms  against  us,  yet 
they  will  not  act  offensively  in  our  favor.  When  we  are  certain 
of  their  friendship,  so  far  as  to  lie  quiet,  we  shall  march  a  strong 
detachment  by  land  into  the  country,  which  we  shall  be  masters 
of,  if  Mr.  Carlcton  is  not  speedily  reGnforced,  We  had  a  little 
skirmish  with  the  Indians;— two  very  good  officers  wounded 
and  nine  or  ten  privates  killed ;  a  good  deal  of  confusion  in  the 
action;  the  Yorkers  little  acquainted  with  wood-fighting;  the 
Connecticut  men  behaved  well  for  the  most  part,  but  in  the 
evening,  when  some  shells  were  thrown  from  the  fort,  they 
showed  a  degree  of  appreliension  that  displeased  mo  much ;  but  I 
hope  and  believe  it  will  wear  ofl"  by  a  little  practice.  The 
general  thought  proper  to  remove  a  little  farther  off  with  the 
bouts  and  vessels;  and  they  embarked  with  such  confusion  as 
can  only  be  palliated  by  saying  they  are  young  troops.  I  have 
endeavored  to  make  them  ashamed  of  themselves,  and  hope  this 
won't  happen  again.  I  believe  I  am  on  a  tolerable  footing  with 
them,  foor  Schuyler  is  iu  so  miserable  a  state  of  health  as  to 
make  him  an  object  of  compassion. 

"I  wrote  you  from  Crown  Point,  and  also  your  worthy  father. 
I  then  referred  you  to  him  for  news.  I  must  now  beg  of  him  to 
read  this  letter,  which  contains  all  I  have  to  say,  being  much 
hurried.  Should  any  report  prevail  at  Albany  of  any  accident 
having  happened  to  me,  I  have  requested  Walter  Livingston  to 
send  you  this  by  express. 

"Adieu!  my  dearest  Janet.  Rest  assured  of  my  warmest 
affection. 

•  "  RiCUAKD  MONTIOMKBY." 


"  Camp  near  St.  Johns, 
"  October  0th. 
"  My  Dear  Janet  : — 

"  It  is  with  inexpressible  concern  I  find  by  a  letter  from 
vour  father  that  you  are  ill.    I  wish  he  had  kept  the  intelli- 


'^itfAlWi^fciUlll 


^%'«ii|iW».'.%*V^iY*'>j»Mj!l<il''A*WW"!ijfc''''''^^^  .>*ix^-. 


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^wipjjy.iftM'jg^ajwfig^^^^^ 


"sp* 


MaWMKllrnjUliimi'  in^ 


ts 


gence  a  secret ;  I  do  not  want  any  addition  to  iny  uneaninesfl. 
That  tijis  may  find  you  recovered  is  my  warmest  wisii ! 

"  Little  cttange  has  happened  since  my  last.  I  utill  wait  for 
reCniorcement ;  the  troops  have  hitherto  gone  home  sick,  almost 
as  fast  as  they  came.  We  have  been  lilce  half-drowned  rats 
crawling  thro'  the  swamp,  but  the  weather  is  now  much  altered 
for  the  better,  and  I  hope  it  will  continue.  1  believe  we  shall  in 
a  few  days  set  about  our  business  in  earnest.  If  powder  don't 
fail  us,  I  think  we  sliall  finish  this  afikir.  I  have  had  overtures 
for  an  accommodation  from  8t.  Luke  Le  Come,  and  some  other 
principal  people  of  Montreal.  He  is  a  great  villain  and  as  cun- 
ning as  the  devil,  but  I  liave  sent  i*-  I^ew  Englander  to  negotiate 
with  him. 

"  Had  we  twice  or  thrice  as  many  men,  everything  would 
long  ago  have  been  settled.  All  the  lower  class  of  people  are 
anxious  for  our  success,  but  have  been  intimidated  much  by 
our  weakness,  lest  by  a  miscarriage  they  should  be  left  to  '.be 
vengeance  of  tyranny. 

"  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  hear  of  your  father's  indisposition 
and  your  mother's,  but  hope  most  sincerely  their  health  may  by 
this  time  be  reestablished.  My  afTeclionate  duty  attends  them 
and  also  your  grandfather. 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  Janet ;  believe  me  ever  yours, 

"  KlCUABD  MONTQOMKBY." 


"  Camp  near  St.  Johns,  October  9th. 
"  This  evening  I  received  my  dear  Janet's  three  letters  to  the 
23rd  September,  which  bring  me  the  agreeable  news  of  your  re- 
covery. I  hope  to  have  the  same  account  of  your  good  father 
and  mother,  whose  health  and  happiness  I  think  mys«lf  deeply 
interested  in.  You  are  certainly  right :  I  most  certainly  might 
have  advanced  Harry  to  a  majority.  Disinterested  and  gener- 
ous motives  will  forever,  I  hope,  prevent  me  from  serving  my- 
self or  family  at  the  expense  of  the  public.  Though  a  fine, 
spirited  fellow,  he  has  not  experience  for  such  an  important 
post.  I  grant  there  are  others  as  bad  and  worse— it  is  not  my 
doing,  nor  will  I  ever  have  such  a  weight  on  my  conscience.  I 
always  told  you  what  I  know  to  be  a  fact ;  lam  unfit  to  deal 
with  mankind  in  the  bulk,  for  which  reason  I  wish  for  retire- 
ment. I  feel  too  sensibly  the  isscality,  ignorance  and  selfishnesa 
so  common  among  my  fellow  creatures  to  deal  with  them  and 
keep  my  temper.  I  have  b^en  dragged  from  obscurity  much 
against  my  inclination  and  nut  without  some  struggle,  as  you 


^BP 


I* 

well  know  ;  and  depend  apon  it,  the  inatant  I  can  with  decency 
Blip  my  neck  out  of  the  yoke,  I  will  return  to  my  family  and 
farm,  and  that  peace  of  mind  which  I  can't  have  in  my  present 
situation. 

"General  Schuyler  may  reti  rn  in  a  few  days.  His  rvturu  to 
Ticonderoga  has  been  a  most  fortunate  affair,  ^e  should  most 
certainly  have  been  obliged  to  return  half-starved,  and  leave  the 
unfortunate  Canadians  to  take  care  of  themselves.  Providence 
doc  much  for  us  and  ve  little  for  ourselves ! 

"  The  negotiation  with  St  Luke  ended  in  ncthkig.  It  is  sup- 
pose<l  the  Governor  had  gotten  some  hint  of  it,  and  St.  Luke,  in 
order  to  acquit  himself,  made  the  Inoian  deliver  my  letter, 
which  was  an  answeir  to  his  mesmge,  to  the  Govei  nor,  who  or- 
dered it  to  be  burned  vrithout  reading  it.  I  suppose  he  was 
afraid  of  making  a  discovery  which  would  have  obliged  him  to 
treat  St.  Luke  roughly.  I  anxiously  wait  to  hear  of  the  Kenne- 
bec expedition.  If  it  succeed ,  it  will  lie  a  gre.it  stroke ;  if  we 
don't  get  more  powder  I  am  afraid  this  will  be  a  tedious  affair 
and  that  we  shall  be  obliged  to  starve  them  out.  You  must 
not  KO  into  the  house  until  I  return.  If  you  have  a  mind  for 
Mrs.  What-do-you-call-her — the  Frenchwoman,  keep  her  by  all 
means.  Harr}'  is  well,  as  are  thf.  two  officers  you  mention. 
Willett  has  been  ill.  I  answered  Mr.  Duane's  letter.  It  went  by 
an  express  to  Philadelphia;  he  was  at  that  time  returned  to 
York ;  do  mention  it  when  you  write  to  Robert ;  I  should  be 
sorry  to  have  him  think  nie  wanting  in  common  politeness. 

"The  box  arrived  in  good  time.  I  am  now  sitting  beside  a 
very  comfortable  fire  in  my  tei.t,  and  we  have  had  for  the  first 
time  some  very  pleasant  weather. 

"  I  am  obliged  to  Shone  for  his  good  opinion,  but  alas!  he  is 
a  very  indifferent  judge.  At  the  forts  I  will  not  winter;  it  ip 
possible  I  may  be  obliged  to  stay  in  Canada,  but  I  shall 
certainly  return  if  in  my  power. 

"  My  affectionate  good  wishes  and  duty  wait  on  your  grand- 
father.   My  love  to  the  girls. 

"  Adien,  my  dear  Janet ;  believe  me  '<  V. 

"  Your  truly  affectionate 

"  RiOHABD  MON'TOOMRRY." 


"MoNTRiAi.,  Nov.  13te. 
'"  Mt  DitAR  Jakw: — 

"  This  morning  the  Bostoniaus  have  marched  into  town  ;  the 
Governor,  with  his  small  garrison,  having  abandoned   it  two 


M 


^ 


'^^JiMW* '  - 


41lffll^li'!!i^M,Wtw?^'B^¥W*^P^'^WW^^^^ 


nights  since,  and  retired  towards  Quebec,  where  he  will  run 
some  risk  of  being  cangnt  by  Col.  Arnold,  who  is  arrived  in  that 
neighborhood. 

"  I  am  summoning  all  my  virtue  against  the  legion  of  females 
soliciting  for  husbands,  brothers  and  sons  taken  prisoners. 

"  Yoa  may  depend  upon  it,  I  will  return  home  the  instant  I 
have  put  matters  on  such  a  footing  as  to  be  able  to  rutire  with 
propriety.    I  am  very  well,  and  very  anxious  to  see  you. 
"  Farewell,  my  de&r  Janet. 
;i ,".  "  Believe  me  yours,  with  real  affection. 

'     >#:  "  RiCUAKD  MONTaOMBBY." 


m. 

;  the  i 

■  ■:•'  ^  ■ 

two 

,•  f,      "  MONTBKAL,  Nov.  24th. 

"  Mt  Dbak  Janet  .— 

"  I  wrote  to  yon  by  Harry,  and  hope  you  have  some  days  ago 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him.  I  long  to  see  you  in  your  new 
house.  If  the  winter  set  in  soon  do  n't  forget  to  send  for  the  lath 
to  fence  the  garden,  and  a!so  to  have  chestnut  posts  cut  for  the 
samp  purpoa?.  I  wish  you  (K>uld  get  a  stove  fixed  in  the  hall — 
they  are  ^e  most  comfortAbte  things  imaginable. 

"The  other  day  General  Prescott  was  so  obliging  as  to  sur- 
render himself  and  fourteen  or  fifteen  land  officers,  with  above 
one  hundred  men,  besides  sea  officers  and  sailors,  prisoners  of 
wbr.  I  blush  for  His  Majesty's  troops!  Such  an  instaiM^e  of 
base  poltroonery  T  never  met  with !  and  all  because  we  had  half- 
a-dosen  caukion  on  the  bank  of  the  river  to  annoy  him  in  his  re- 
treat. The  Governor  escaped— more 's  the  pity!  Prescott, 
nevertheless,  is  a  prise.  He  is  a  cruel  rascal.  I  have  treated 
him  with  the  sovensign  contempt  his  inhumanity  and  barbarity 
merit. 

"  To-morrow  I  hope  to  set  out  for  Quebec,  to  join  Col.  Arnold, 
who  is  impatient  to  see  us.  His  little  army  has  undergone  inex- 
yressible  hardships,  and  entered  the  country  half-starved  and 
half-naked.  Should  fortune  continue  her  fkvor  we  may  perhaps 
bring  that  business  to  a  happy  issue.  In  the  meantime,  adieu  !^  , 
"  Believe  me  most  afl'ect'ly  your 

!  '  "  RiCHAHD  MOMTOOUUY." 

"  p.  8.— I  have  no  time  to  write  to  your  father.  I  have  been 
overwhelmed  with  business,  and  am  out  of  all  patience  at  being 
obliged  to  spend  so  much  of  this  pr-jcious  season  in  this  town 

"  Ky  most  affectionate  respects  attend  the  old  gentleman  and 
lady.  My  love  to  the  girls.  Do  they  go  to  town  7  No  husbands 
th's  winter?    Alas! 

"  Hive  ia  hopes  to  see  you  in  six  weeks," 


M'tfjiilirt 


— -^-^-:- 


MMMM 


16 

,;;•:<'  "  Holland  HouBE, 

j  "  NEAR  Quebec,  Decembkr  5th. 

"My  Deab  Janet:— 

"  This  day  I  had  the  pleasure  of  yours  of  the  l?Ah  of  October. 
I  think  your  letters  are  a  long  time  on  the  road.  I  believe  I 
have  now  the  right  to  complain,  as  I  am  sure  you  don't  write  so 
often  as  I  do. 

"  I  suppose  long  ere  this  we  have  furnished  the  folks  of  the 
United  Colonies  with  subject-matter  of  conversatic  .  I  should 
like  to  see  the  long  faces  of  my  Tory  friends.  I  tancy  they  look 
a  little  east  down,  and  that  the  Whig  ladies  triumph  most  un- 
mercifully. 

"The  weather  continues  so  gentle  that  we  have  been  able,  at 
this  late  season,  to  get  down  by  water  with  our  artillery,  Ac. 
They  are  a  good  deal  alarmed  in  town,  and  with  some  reason. 
The  garriFon  is  little  to  be  depended  upon,  and  very  weak  in  pro- 
portion to  the  extent  of  the  works.  I  wisii  it  were  well  over 
with  all  my  heart,  and  sigh  for  home  like  a  New  Englander. 

"  I  shan't  forget  yovr  beaver  blanket  if  I  get  safe  o'jt  of  this 
affair,  nor  vour  mother's  martin-skins.  Present  my  affectionate 
duty  to  her,  and  make  her  easy  reM()ecting  Harry.  He  has  by 
no  means  given  me  any  offence,  though  some  uneasiness  by 
some  little  imprudences.  I  am  glad  to  hear  your  house  is  in 
such  forwardness.  May  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  in  it 
soon  I 

"  Till  then,  adieu ! 

"  Believe  me  affectionately  yours, 

"  Ricuabd  Montgomeuy." 


.- So  ends  this  abort  coiTespondence.    The  last 

letter  is  dated  on  the  5'.h  of  December.  The  brave 
and  resolute  Montgi»mery  was  deatiued  to  die  on  the 
last  day  of  the  same  month. 

The  letters  we  have  just  peraaed  not  only  give  evi- 
dence of  character  throughout,  but  also  show  him  to  as 
genial,  affectionate,  «\nd  on  occasion  fond  of  a  joke  at 
home. 

General  Sc'unyler'a  health  did  not  permit  him  to  con- 
duct this  campaign  as  had  been  intended.  He  relin. 
quirthed  the  command  of  the  forces  to  General  Mont- 


17 


rn. 
3ber. 

bVd  I 

Ite  so 


i^ 


gomery  at  lale  aux  Noix.  There  was  insubordinatioa 
among  the  troops.  Montgomery's  energy  and  daantless 
?.'iii  were  more  than  equal  to  the  emergency.  H?  had 
great  trouble  with  the  New  Englanders,  and  wrote 
home :  "  They  are  the  worst  stuff  imaginable  for  soldiers. 
They  are  homtsick;  their  rex^iments  are  melted  away 
and  yet  not  a  uian  dead  of  any  distemper  among  them. 
There  is  such  an  equality  among  them  that  the  officers 
have  no  authority,  and  there  are  few  among  them  in 
whose  Hpirit  1  have  confidence;  the  privates  are  all 
generals  but  not  soldiers,  and  so  jealous  that  it  is  im- 
possible, though  a  mau  risk  his  person,  to  escape  the 
imputation  of  treachery." 

The  troops  seemed  thoroughly  demoralized,  the  New 
Yorkers  as  well  as  the  others.  "  0  fortunate  husband- 
men I "  wrot<i  Montgomery,  "  would  I  were  at  my  plough 
again  ! "  He  was  thoroughly  disgusted  with  them  all. 
However,  his  course  through  Canada  was  a  triumphant 
one,  and,  notwithstanding  all  his  difficulties,  success 
followed  in  bis  footstejMj.  "I  have  courted  fortune,"  he 
wrote  in  another  letter,  "  and  found  her  kind.  I  have 
one  more  favor  to  solicit  and  then  I  have  done.'l/'The 
capture  of  Quebec  would,  he  thought,  complete  the 
American  possession  of  Canada,  and  make  it  a  part  of 
the  Union.  His  rapid  successes  all  over  Canada  had 
made  him  hopeful^  "  Fortune,"  he  said,  "  favors  thb 
brave."  Little  had  he  then  contemplatod  failure,  or  his 
own  approaching  end  ij  In  a  oonversaiion  which  he  had 
with  one  of  his  aides-de-camp  shortly  before  the  storm- 
ing of  Quebec,  he  had  indulged  in  meditations  on  his 
own  life,  and  spoke  of  his  loss  of  ambition,  a  sense  of 
duty  being  alone  left  as  his  spring  of  action ;  he  longed 
to  return  to  the  retirement  of  his  country  life,  though  be 
Mid  bo  "  would  always  be  ready  to  contribr':e  to  the 
public  safety,  should  the  scene  change  and  his  services 


I 


'"■1 


tutMasmfsm 


■PPP"" 


w 

be  again  required,"  He  was  convinced  that  there  was, 
as  he  said,  "a  fair  prospect  of  success";  aud,  notwith- 
standing the  perils  of  his  situation,  his  hopes  ran  high 
and  his  soul  was  undaunted,  fit  was  on  the  31st  of 
December,  1775,  that  the  attack  on  Q  '.ebeo  was  uiado. 
The  K-tle  American  army  had  undergone  inexpressible 
hardships  during  the  campaign ;  and  the  soldiers  were 
half-starved  and  half-naked".  General  Montgc  nery  had 
won  the  contideuce  of  the  men,  and  was  greatly  beloved 
by  them,  yet  it  took  all  his  magnetic  power  to  stir  them 
into  renewed  exertion,  disheartened  as  they  were  by 
fatigue.  "  Men  of  New  York,"  he  exclaimed,  "you  will 
not  fear  to  follow  where  your  General  leads ;  march  on ! " 
Then,  placing  himself  in  the  front,  he  almost  immediately 
received  the  mortal  wound  which  suddenly  closed  his 
career.  ...  ■-■■^U..,-^":- 

Thus  fell  Richard  Montgomery,  at  the  early  age 
of  thirty-seven.  Young,  fjifted,  and  brave,  he  was 
mourned  throughout  the  country,  at  whose  altar  he 
bad  offered  up  his  life — apparently  in  vain;  for  his  i'ate 
decided  the  battle  in  favor  of  the  British. 

Under  the  continued  fire  of  the  enemy,  the  inanimate 
form  of  Montgomery  is  said  to  have  been  borne  from 
the  field  of  battle  by  Aaron  Burr.  Through  the 
courtesy  of  tht>  British  general,  who  greatly  respected 
him,  General  Montgomery  was  buried  with  dl  the 
honors  of  war,  within  the  walls  of  the  city  of  Quebec. 

General  Montgomery's  will  had  been  made  at  Crown 
Point,  on  the  30th  of  August,  soon  after  the  com- 
mencement of  his  last  campaign.  The  authenticity  of 
this  document  is  attested  by  the  signature  of  Benedict 
Arnold.     It  is  still  in  existence,  and  reads  as  follows: — 


•!>>*. 


v 


■■I 


7 


-  i*' 


"  THE  LAST  WILL  AND  TESTAMENT  OF   RIOHABD 
r;.  ^     ,,  MONTOOMEBY.      *      .. 

"I  give  to  my  Bister,  Lady  Ranelagb,  of  the  Kingdom  of  Ire- 
land, (ill  my  personal  fortune  for  her  sole  use,  to  be  disposed  ol 
as  she  pleases,  except  suoh  legacies  as  shall  be  hereafter  men- 
tioned. All  my  just  debts  must  first  be  paid.  Also,  I  give  my 
said  sis<er  vny  estate  at  Kingsbridge,  near  New  York,  for  her  sole 
use,  to  be  disposed  of  as  she  thinks  fit.  To  my  dear  wife,  Janet 
Montgomery,  I  j^ive  my  furniture,  farm  utensils,  carriages  of  ail 
sorts,  horses,  cattle,  shares,  books,  (to  this,  watch,  mathematical 
and  philosophical  instruments  and  apparatus.) 

"  I  also  leave  to  my  said  wife  the  farm  I  purchrsed  from 
Shaver  at  Rynbeck,  with  horses  and  everything  upon  it. 

"  The  ample  fortune  which  my  wife  will  succeed  to,  makes  it 
unnecessary  to  provide  for  her  in  a  manner  snitable  to  her  situ- 
ation in  life  and  adequate  to  the  warm  afl'ection  I  bear  her. 

"  My  dear  sister's  large  family  y,ant  alt  I  ean  spare.  I  cculd 
wish  to  recommend  one  or  two  of  her  younger  children  to  my 
Janet's  protection. 

"  I  must  request  the  Honorable  Kobert  Livingston,  my  much- 
honored  father-in-law,  and  my  brother-in-law,  llobert,  his  son, 
(whose  good  sense  and  integrity  I  have  all  confidence  in)  to  see 
this,  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  executed.  Tho'  the  hurry  of 
public  business  and  want  of  'inowledge  in  the  law  may  have 
rendered  this  instrument  incorrect,  yet  I  believe  my  intention 
is  plain.  I  therefore  hope  no  advanta(<e  will  be  taken  of  p.iy 
inaccuracy. 

"  My  brothers,  whom  I  greatly  esteem  and  respect,  will  ac- 
cept o»  what  aloHf  I  have  in  my  power  to  give,  my  earnest 
wishes  for  their  happiness! 


(  Robert  Walkin, 
"  Witnette$ :  \  Edward  Moll, 
[  J.  I.  Tftard. 


[Sianed] 

RiCUARn  McKTaOUKRY. 


v,^, 


"  AuHOBT  30ni,  1775, 
"Crown  Point. 

"  This  may  certify  that  the  foregoing  Will  and  Testament  of 
tho  late  General  Montgomery,  was  found  by  us  among  his  papers 
a  few  days  after  his  Death,  and  immediately  sealed  up. 

"  Brnkoict  Arnold, 
"  Don  ALU  Caupbill. 

[This  is  signed  and  written 
in  the  handwriting  of  Arnold.], 


■^. 


20 


The  Will  was  proved  and  filed  of  record  at  the  Sur- 
rogate's Office  at  Poughkeepsie,  on  the  fomth  day  of 
August,  1781. 

(General  Montgomery  left  no  descendants.  By  his 
will  1.  appears  that  he  bequeathed  the  greater  part  of 
his  fortune  to  his  relatives  in  Ireland.  The  farm  at 
Kingsbridge  would  now  be  of  enormous  value,  from  its 
close  proximity  to  New  York.  It  consisted  of  sixty- 
seven  acres,  and  lay  on  the  division-line  between  "  the 
Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Fordham."  Fort  Inde- 
pendence, with  its  appendages,  having  been  erected 
upon  it,  the  farm  was,  in  a  manner,  ruined  by  the 
Continental  my,  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 
The  dwelling-house,  barn  and  other  outhouses  were  en- 
tirely demolished,  and  the  orchard  all  cut  down,  as  well 
as  the  whole  of  the  forest.  The  fences  were  destroyed, 
and  mu'^h  of  the  surface  of  the  soil  pared  off  to  make 
Fort  Independence.  The  earth  was  also  thrown  up  in 
various  forms  for  that  fortification  and  the  redoubts 
around  it.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  the  devastation 
effected  by  the  army  in  the  whole  neighborhood.  As  a 
farm  it  was  useless,  for  some  time  at  least.  Had  Mont- 
gomery lived  he  vojld  have  had  much  to  do  in  re- 
storing order  from  chaos.  His  own  fortune  had  been 
principally  invested  in  this  farm  at  Kingsbridge.  He 
was  punctilious  in  the  extreme  in  all  money  matters, 
and  his  remote  accounts  with  his  eldest  brother,  Alex- 
ander, prove  him  to  have  been  always  possessed  of 
independent  pecuniary  resources.  During  the  cam- 
paign in  Canada  his  accounts  were  carefully  kept  at  all 
times.  A  memorandum  of  the  payments  made  by  him 
up  to  the  very  day  of  his  death  was  found  among  his 
papers.  The  following  curious  inventory  of  his  effects 
was  taken,  and  forwarded  to  New  York.  The  greater 
part  of  his  wardrobe  was  purchased  by  General  Arnold : 


^m  I 


'■■":-■;  ^; 


■' '  ■■'/: 


"  An  Inventory  taken  of  the  property  &  effects  of  the  late  Gen- 
eral Montgomery  on  the  2d  Day  of  January,  A.  D.,  1776, 
'  at  Holland  House,  in  the  presence  of  Col.  Donald  Camp- 
bell, Major  F.  Wissenfetts,  Major  Matt.  Ogden,  Rev.  John 
I.  Tetard,  and  Mr.  Aaron  Burr,  Aide-de-Camp. 

"  One  hundred  &  eleven  dollars  in  Continental  Bills. 

"  Fifty  shillings  lawful  money  of  Connecticut. 

"Sixteen  shillings  lawful  money  of  the  Province  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

"A  3ag  containing  forty -five  receipts  amounting  to  five 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  forty  pounds,  nine  shilUngs  and 
three-pence  halfpenny,  currency  of  5ew  York. 

"  In  the  same  bag  a  string  of  srhite  Wampum. 

"  Forty -eight  half-Johannes. 

"  One-quarter  of  a  Johannes. 

"  Two  light  pistols.  ■  . 

"  Fifty  half-Joes. 

"  One  hundred  and  ninety-three  English  shillings 

"  Six  English  half-crowns. 

"  Twenty  new  Spanish  Dollars. 

"  Small  money  four  shillings  &  10  csnts.  — 

•  ::f;v;>-        "£347.4.7 

"  At  opening  a  Black  trunk,  3rd  January,  were  present  Col. 
Donald  Campbell,  Major  John  Brown,  Major  Fred.  Weis- 
senfelts,  and  Aaron  Burr,  Aide-de-camp. 


3S 


"7 
"6 
"10 
"6 
1 
"9 
"3 
"3 
"1 
"7 
"2 
"3 
"2 
"2 
"1 
"1 
"1 


Ruffled  shirts  ;  3  sold  to  Gen.  Arnold,  .   „ 

Plain  ditto,  sold  4  at  8  dols.,  and  2  at  3  dels.  ,r  ^H 

Cambric  stocks,  6  sold  to  QenerRl  Arnold.  i^^j    • 

Muslin  neckcloths. 

Silk  do.  sold  to  General  Arnold. 

pair  silk  stockings. 

pair  thread  do. 

pair  woollen  do,— 1  pair  to  Dick,  the  negro  boy. 

old  pair  socks. 

Linen  and  2  Silk  Hand's-S  linen  sold  to  General  Arnold. 

cotton  caps. 

pair  white  breeches. 

white  Holland  wristcoats. 

pr.  nankeen  bree<'hes. 

casimere  waistcoat  and  breeches—sold  to  Qen'l  Arnold. 

pair  of  elegant  Indian  leggins- sold  to  Gen'l  Arnold. 

pair  of  Mocassins.  do.         do.        ^Ov,. 


M«iM 


I<    ' 


22 


'  1  old  white  roat. 

'  1  pair  Sheets— taken  .^■^.  Hospital. 

'  2  pillow-caseB. 

'  1  pair  of  leather  and  two  p'ra.  of  cloth  shoes. 

'  2  pair  silver  buckles. 

'  1  Doz.  knives  and  forks— sold  to  General  Arnold. 

'  1  pair  half-gaiters,  with  silver  Buckles. 

'  I  pair  Spurs. 

'  1  pair  Gloves. 

'  1  brown  watch  coat. 

"  6  Silver  table-spoons— sold  to  Gen.  Arnold. 

'  6    do.   tea-spoons. 

'6  silver  Tea-spoons  and  a  pr.  Tea-Tong-,  hired  at  Montreiil- 

Gen'l  Arnold. 
'  5  Razors  and  Razor-strop. 

'  1  Comb-case,  1  Shaving  Box,  1  crooked  Tortoise-shell  comb. 
"  1  mattress  and  2  pillows. 

"  2  Blankets,  1  Counterpane— sold  to  Col.  Warner. 
"  1  Buffalo  skin.    One  clothes-brush— to  Mr.  Burr. 
"1  small  jacked  Portmanteau  (sent  down  with  Maj.  Ogden.) 
"  1  old  trunk,  5  Table-cloths— to  Gep.  Arnold. 


''  Books. 

"  Saxe's  Reverief. 

"  Polybim,  Vols.  1  &  2. 

"  Clarrac,  L'Ingenieur  de  Oampagne. 

"  La  Scimce  Militaire,  Tour  3,  7,  8,  &  10. 

"  Johnson's  English  Dictionary. 

''  [Signed]      Donald  Campbell, 
"  DepHy  Quarter  M'r  Gen 
"  Matt.  Ooden, 
"J.  I.  Tetahd. 


;v,l 


£19.8.6 

f "  Gen.  Schuyler 
i  authorised  Col. 
j  Ed.  Autil  to  take 
1  tliese  and  lodge 

his  receijit 
(^      for  them." 


Fred.  WEwsENrEi.8,  M.  B, 


"  At  Col.  Donald  Campbell's  refjuest,  Governor  Carleton  sent 
out  of  town  the  late  General  Montgomery's  gold  watch  and  seal, 
which  Col.  Campbell  forwarded  to  Gen'l  Wooster,  at  Montreal, 
by  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Jeffries  and  Minott.  Gen'l  Wooster 
sent  the  watch  by  Lt.  Col.  Ritzma  to  New  York,  to  Mrs.  Mont- 
gomery."   .         . 


''M-' 


l.li|jlltM'l»ii|>jJ)iyMi.jilMll.i|Bl>Jlt»illitmlW«IW.Illl! 


...    ..     f. 


mm 


'^.^*l^,j^M-MJ^^iWf^^Ji'^(^^VJ"Jg^^<P^ 


■iwwwjpywiiw  1^  fm 


23 


Mil— 


8.6 

lyler 
Col. 
take 
odge 
I't 


B. 


sent 
penl, 
real, 
aster 
[ont- 


r.'.- 


■if".  -. 


^m 


Together  vrith  this  inventory,  an  account  was  sent 
to  Mre.  Montgomery  of  the  manner  in  which  his  eftiects 
had  been  disposed  of,  and  a  list  of  the  articles  marked 
on  the  inventory  as  sold  to  Gen.  Arnold. 

To  the  south  of  Quebec  the  memorable  Plains  of 
Abraham  extend  themselves,  recalling  so  forcibly  the 
memory  of  past  events  that  they  cannot  be  viewed 
without  emotion.    The  recollection  of  the  acts  of  hero- 
ism that  have  distinguished  these  plains  will  kindle  the 
Are  of  enthusiasm  in  the  coldest  heart.     None  can  see 
with  indifference  the  spot  where  Wolfe  and  Montgom- 
ery bled — where  they  fell,  each  one  in  turn  a  self-de- 
voted victim  to  his  country's  cause.    To  the  modern 
traveler  this  Gibraltar  of  America  appears  truly  im. 
pregnable.    Whatever  difficulties  present  themselves  in 
viewing  the  ground  now,  they  are  nothing  to  what  they 
were  in  1775.     The  perpendicular  height  of  solid  rock, 
to  the  top  of  which  the  eye  can  scarcely  reach,  is  de- 
scribed as  having  seemed  to  threaten  a  row  of  miser- 
able huts  built  directly  at  its  foot.    These  huts  formed 
one  side  of  a  narrow  lane,  running  close  beside  the 
water's  edge.    This  latter  was  the  very  path  by  which 
General  Montgomery  entered  the  Lower  Town.     It  has 
been  said  that  be  knew  the  fortifications  well,  because 
he  had  been  with  Wolfe  at  the  taking  of  Quebec. 
This  is  a  mistake.     He  was  in  the  British  army,  in 
Canada,  during  the  French  and  Indian  War,  but  not 
with  Wolfe— having  been  ordered  to  follow  General 
Amherst  with  his  regiment.    This  error  probably  origi- 
nated with  the  fact  that  Alexander  Montgomery,  the 
General's  eldest  brother,  was  with  Wolfe  at  Quebec. 

The  difficulties  which  Arnold  had  to  encounter  in  his 
attack  on  the  northern  side  of  the  town  were  perhaps 
equal  to  those  met  by  General  Montgomery.    The  de- 


J 


■0 


-AViiv 


?P"" 


94 

Hie  through  which  he  marched  was  equally  narrow,  and 
nature  had,  in  every  respect,  thrown  more  obstacles  in 
his  way.  But  he  was  more  fortunate  in  that  the  guard 
who  defended  the  field-post  he  attacked  was  com- 
pletely surprised,  and  made  little  or  no  resistance. 
Had  the  fatal  discharge  which  destroyed  Montgomery's 
life  been  retarded  but  a  few  seconds  he  would  have 
been  under  shelter  of  the  enemy's  works,  and  wouli 
not  have  been  injured.  In  that  case,  the  issue  of  the 
conflict  would  probably  have  been  far  different. 

The  following  estimate  of  the  British  forces  at  Que- 
bec is  copied  from  a  memorandum  of  General  Mont- 
gomery's:— 


"  FoRCKS  AT  Quebec,  Dec.  1775. 


"  McLean's  Emigrants, 

"  Fusiliers,  (7th  Ueg't,) 

"Seamen, 

"  British  Militia, 

"  French  Militia, 


"Total, 


200 
60 
500 
300 
70O. 

1,760." 


Formidable  as  the  works  were  that  surrounded  the 
Upper  Town,  the  garrison  was  not  considered  strong 
enough  to  have  resisted  the  simultaneous  attacks  that 
would  have  been  made  from  various  directions,  had 
Montgomery  succeeded  iu  effecting  his  junction  with 
Arnold. 

The  body  of  General  Montgomery  remained  in  Que- 
bec for  forty-tiiree  years.  It  was  then  brought  to  New 
York  City,  in  compliance  with  a  special  act  of  the 
Legislature.  Reminiscences  of  Montgomery  would  bo 
incomplete  unless  including  a  careful  notice  of  the 
honors  conferred  on  him  by  the  State  of  New  York, 
nearly  half  a  century  after  his  death  :  and  the  details, 


inini»,i))rm^)»tHujt]iinmi|injmi<<iij<iMli'iiliii<'ii 


nmmy>mvHfVMn'jiji><Hi.n.t! 


atj  likely  to  be  interesting  and  curious  to  our  readers, 
are  here  subjoined : — 

"  An  Act  of  Honob 

"to  the  Memory  op 

"  Oenebal  Riohabd  Montoombbt. 

"  Whereas,  General  Rit;hurd  Montgomery,  a  citisen  of  this 
State,  distinguished  himself  by  his  valor  and  patriotism  among 
the  earliest  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  slain  while 
in  the  act  of  gallantly  leading  the  attack  on  Quebec;  and, 
whereas,  the  remains  of  the  said  General  Richard  Montgomery 
arb  interred  near  the  battle-ground  undistin{;uished  by  any  re- 
spectful mark;  and  whereas,  a  monument  has  been  erected  to 
his  memory  with  others  in  St.  Paul's  Churc.  lu  the  City  of  New 
York,  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  ;— 

"  Therefore :  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Atwembly,  that  the  person  ad- 
ministering the  government  of  this  State  fur  the  time  being,  be 
and  is,  hereby  authorized  to  cause  such  measures  to  be  taken  as 
he  shall  deem  expedient  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  Canada,  to  the  removal  of  the  remains  of  General  Rich- 
ard Montgomery  from  Quebec  to  the  City  of  New  York,  there  to 
be  deposited  in  St.  Paul's  Church  near  the  monument  there 
erected  to  his  memory;  and  that  he  shall  cause  such  removal 
to  De  made,  when  such  consent  is  obtained,  at  the  expense 
of  the  State." 

A  copy  uf  the  act  was  sent  to  the  widow  of  Mont- 
gomery by  Governor  Clinton,  accompanied  by  the  fol- 
lowing note : 

■-v'-;;--A.       .-.;,:■'.*    ,.^.;.;  ..'■  '."''■'.      "  Ai^any,  4  March,  1818. 

"MaOaM:— In  the  execution  of  the  enclosed  act,  entitled 
'  An  Act  of  Honor  to  the  Memory  of  General  Richard  Mont- 
gomery,' it  will  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  consult  your  feelings 
and  wishes ;  and  I  shall  esteem  it  a  favor  to  be  furnished 
by  you  with  any  intimations  or  references  which  m^y  have  a 
tendency  to  afford  you  gratif  »tion,  to  render  due  honor  to  the 


m 


--■^i 


:'-r'^ 


m 


ii.ii*iniiii*/ii. 


•auiiUMwAuikiiJi' 


^ 


memory  of  your  ilUmtrious  husband,  and  to  promote  the  viewp 
of  the  State,  on  this  distinguished  occasion.  , 

"  With  every  sentiment  of  rospect,  .    ■•  -    «  .^'  - 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be 

"  Your  most  devoted  friend, 
.  "  And  obedient  servant, 

"  DkWitt  Cunton." 

At  Mrs.  Montgomery's  request,  Governor  Clinton  com- 
missioned her  nephew,  Lewis  Livingston,  to  superin'vend 
the  removal  of  General  Montgomery's  remains  to  New 
York.  From  a  minute  report  which  he  wrote  to  his 
father,  Mr.  Edward  Livingston,  then  in  Louisiana,  wis 
gather  many  details  of  interest  hitherto  unknown  to  the 
public.  On  account  of  the  great  lapse  of  time  since  the 
death  of  General  Montgomery,  apprehensions  were 
entertained  that  there  would  be  difficulty  in  astjer- 
taining  the  exact  spot  where  he  was  interred.  Should 
the  place  of  burial  be  known,  it  was  even  a  matter  of 
doubt  whether  any  part  of  his  remains  would  be  found, 
as  it  was  supposed  they  must  long  since  have  ceased  to 
exist.  Such  apprehension."  were,  however,  groundless. 
Shortly  after  the  a:  rival  of  Col.  Livingston  in  Quebec, 
an  old  man  of  eighty-nine  years  of  age  was  pointed  out 
to  him,  who  had  served  in  the  British  army,  and  was 
the  very  person  who  had  been  it  trusted  with  the  super- 
inteiidence  of  ciie  General's  burial.  As  he  still  pos- 
sessed all  his  faculties.  Col.  Livingston  obtained  froto 
him  every  requisite  information.  Owing  to  the  alter- 
atior  that  had  taken  place  in  the  appearance  of  the 
groun  1,  he  could  not  indicate  exactly  where  the  body 
ky.  It  was  found,  however,  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
place  he  fixed  upon;  and  there  was  so  much  circunt- 
stantial  evidence  to  corroborate  all  he  said,  that  not 
the  slightest  doubt  could  be  entertained  of  his  veracity. 
He  mentioned  a  number  of  details  respecting  the  in- 


'  '-.,;..'vtT..  • '-  »..        ■■■■■■■ /i:    -.J.^.ajMUgwlMJijlilMi'iMft.a^M.A  ,l>.ll,    H>illllljl- 


J 


=«7 

terment,  and  gave  a  particnlar  d^soription  of  the  coffin 
in  which  the  body  was  placed, — which  corresponded 
perfectly  with  the  appearance  of  the  one  taKen  up. 
Thid  coffin,  wonderful  as  it  may  appear,  was  still  in  a 
state  of  very  good  preservation,  a?thougU  it  had  been  it 
the  ground  for  over  forty-two  years.  The  pressure  of 
the  earth  had  broken  in  the  lid,  but  the  bottom  and 
sides  were  nearly  entire ;  the  skeleton  was  also  nearly 
entire;  the  skull  was  perfect,  and  also  the  thigh  and 
hip  bones ;  -the  ribs  were  the  only  parto  that  had  en- 
tirely decayed. 

The  coffin  was  kept  exactly  in  the  state  in  which  it 
was  found,  and  placed  in  a  strong  wooden  case.  Sir 
John  Sherbroke,  then  Governor  of  the  Province  of 
Quebec,  was  at  this  time  extremely  ill.  He  wrote,  how- 
ever, a  very  polite  letter  to  Ool.  Livingston,  expressing 
his  regret  that  his  state  of  health  would  not  permit  hind 
to  offer  to  a  relative  of  the  illustrious  dead,  such  attdu- 
tions  as  would  otherwise  have  been  paid.  The  course 
of  action  which  be  pursued  was  very  liberal.  He  did 
not  hesitate  one  instant  to  deliver  up  the  remains ;  he 
only  expressed  a  desire  that  the  affair  should  be  con- 
sidered a  private  rather  than  a  public  transa<;tion, 
probably  because  he  would  thereby  incur  less  responsi'- 
bility  and  avoid  censure.  Mr.  William  Smith,  (the  son 
of  the  Chief  Justice  then  deceased,)  was  extremely  use- 
ful in  furthering  the  views  of  Col.  Livingston ;  he  was 
intimate  with  the  Governor,  and  used  his  influence  to 
obtain  a  compliance  with  the  request  of  which  he  was 
the  bearer. 

Governor  Clinton  had  diifected  the  Adjutant  General, 
with  Colonel  Van  If^ensselae^  and  a  detachment  of  cav- 
alry, to  proceed  to  Whitehall  tu  accompany  the  remains 
to  New  York,  regulating  the  journey  so.  as  to  reach  Al- 
banv  on  the  4th  of  Julvw    Thev  leit  Whitehall  on  the 


~1 


"Vii'^'Viiiiil** 


as 

2d,  arriving  at  Albany  by  the  4th.     Great  preparations 
had  been  made  to  receive  the  remains  with  all  possible 
splendor  and  eclat.     All  the  military  were  under  arms 
and  stationed  about  a  mile  from  the  city.     On  the  arri- 
val of  the  body  and  escort,  they  formed  in  front  of  the 
hearse  and  began  the  procession,  which  upon  reaching 
the  residence  of  the  Patroon,  General  Van  Rensselaer, 
was  joined  by  an  immense  concourse  of  citizens.    The 
pall-bearers  consisted  of  old  Revolutionary  ofQcers  and 
members  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinaati.    The  pro- 
cession moved  in  this  way  through  the  principal  streets 
of  Albany,  and  stopped  at  the  Capitol,  where  the  re- 
mains were  laid  in  state.     In  every  village  on  tb«  route 
similar  honors,  though  on  a  smaller  scale,  had  been 
paid  to  the  memory  of  the  gallant  Montgomery.     At 
Troy  a  reception   had   been  conducted   in  nearly  as 
brilliant  a  style  as  at  Albany.    The  skeleton  had  been 
taken  out  of  the  box  in  which  it  was  placed  for  safe 
conveyance,  and  placed  in  a  magnificent  coffin  which 
had  been  sent  on  by  the  Governor. 

All  these  ceremonies  being  over.  Col.  Livingston 
called  on  Governor  Clinton,  and  gave  him  an  account 
of  his  mission.  The  latter  expressed  himself  satisfied, 
and  informed  Col.  Livingston  that  he  should,  in  con- 
junction with  two  of  his  aides-de-camp,  proceed  with  the 
remains  to  New  York,  to  have  them  placed  in  the  City 
Hall,  where  the  Society  of  Cincinnati  would  be  prepared 
to  receive  them.  On  the  6fch  of  July,  at  9  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  a  procession,  perhafw  still  larger  than  the  first, 
formed  at  the  Capitol  and  accompanied  the  coffin  to  the 
steamboat  Richmond,  on  board  of  which  it  was  put 
with  a  large  military  escort.  The  boat  floated  down 
for  several  miles  under  a  discbarge  of  minute-guns 
from  both  shores.  It  was  astonishing  to  ob«>erve  the 
strong  sympathies  which  were  everywhere  evoked  by 


29 


the  arrival  of  these  sacred  remains.  The  degree  of  en- 
thnsiasm  that  prevailed  and  the  patriotic  feeling  that 
evinced  itHelf,  reflected  (jredit  upon  the  State  of  New 
York  ;  and  not  a  voice  was  heard  in  disapproval  of  the 
tributes  of  respect  thus  paid  to  the  memory  of  this 
Hero  of  the  Revolution. 

Governor  Clinton  had  informed  Mrs.  Montgomery 
that  the  body  of  the  General  would  pass  down  the 
Hudson  ;  and  by  the  aid  of  a  glass  she  could  see  the 
boat  pass  Montgomery  Place,  her  estate  near  Barry- 
town.  We  give  her  own  quaint  and  touching  terms. 
as  she  desciibes  the  mournful  pageant  in  a  letter  to  her 
niece.  "  At  length,"  she  wrote,  "  they  came  by,  with 
all  ihat  remained  of  a  beloved  husband,  who  left  me  in 
the  bloom  of  manhood,  a  perfect  being.  Alas !  how 
did  he  return  !  However  gratifying  to  my  heart,  yet 
to  my  feelings  every  pang  I  felt  was  renewed.  The 
pomp  with  which  it  was  conducted  added  to  my  woe ; 
when  the  steamboat  passed  with  slow  and  solemn 
movement,  stopping  before  my  house,  the  troops  under 
arms,  the  dead  march  from  the  muffled  drum,  the 
mournful  music,  the  splendid  coffin  canopied  with  crape 
and  crowned  by  plumes,  you  may  conceive  my  anguish ; 
I  cannot  describe  it.  Such  voluntary  honors  were  never 
before  paid  t<)  an  individual  by  a  re[)ubli(;,  and  to  Gov- 
•rnor  Clinton's  munificence  much  is  owing." 
;^ At  Mrs.  Montgomery's  own  request  she  was  left 
alone  upon  the  porch  whon  the  Richmond  went  by. 
Forty-three  years  had  elayised  since  she  parted  with  her 
husband  at  Saratoga.  Emotion*  too  agitating  for  her 
advan(;ed  years  overcame  her  at  this  trying  moment. 
She  fainted ;  and  was  found  in  ihis  condition  after  the 
boat  had  passed  on  its  way.  Yet  the  first  wish  of  her 
heart  was  realized,  after  years  of  deferred  hope ;  and 
she  wrote  to  her  brother  in  New  Orleans,  "  I  am  satis- 


7. 


Ajiikt^ 


if 


80 

fied.  What  more  could  I  wish  than  the  high  honor 
that  has  been  oonferred  on  the  ashes  of  my  poor 
soldier."  v      -  ■>  ;  j-v     » 

The  ceremonies  in  the  city  of  New  York  were  morfe 
brilliant  than  any  of  the  same  kind  ever  before 
witnesised  there.  The  remains  were  landed  at  Fort 
Gansevoort,  accompanied  by  a  detachment  of  U.  8. 
Infantry,  from  Albany.  The  coffin  was  received  by  the 
Qovernor's  Gaard,  and  escorted  by  the  infantry  and  a 
troop  of  horse  to  the  City  Hall,  where  it  was  ueposited 
until  the  day  of  the  funeral.  The  New  York  Daily 
Advertiser,  of  July  8th,  1818,  contains  every  detail  itt 
tht3e  interesting  obsequies,  the  order  rf  th.  vocessiim 
as  settled  by  the  marshal  of  the  day ;  ■■  'so  :  lure  of 
the  coffin,  a  liyt  of  the  aids  and  of  the  committee  of  ar- 
rangements. A  guard  of  honor  flanked  the  bier.  U 
was  recommended  to  the  citizens  to  be  silent  during  the 
solemnities  of  the  day.  Guns  were  fired  from  tlie 
Washington  Navy  Yard,  from  the  B'-.ci^ry,  and  from 
the  forts  in  the  harbor;  and  miuute-guns  were  fired 
until  the  funeral  ceremonies  ended.  The  hells  of  the 
different  churches  were  tolled,  and  the  flags  in  the 
harbor  were  at  half-mast.  The  United  States  Infantry 
and  a  detachment  of  the  Governor's  Guards  did  duty 
night  and  day  at  the  Tity  Hall.  The  remains  were 
finally  interred  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  July,  185  H, 
beneath  the  monument,  in  front  of  St.  Pau^^4  Chi  '*:. 
which  bears  thii  following  well-known  inscription* ji .  '» 
the  pen  of  Franklin  :  i.  >, 

"  This  munument  Ib  erected  by  order  of  Congress,  2ftth  .lanun- 
ry,  J7"6,  to  transmit  to  posterity  a  graterwl  remembrance  of  the 
patriotic  conduct,  enterpiise  and  persoveninTO  of  Major-Oeneral 
Ricl;ar<l  Montnomory,  who  after  a  series  of  sucrt'esses,  amidst  the 
most  diucouraging  difhculiies,  foil  in  the  attack  on  Quebec,  Slbt 
December,  1776,  »gt>d  37  years."  ,.,•,.. 

s  ,■'  -  i      ir"*.  '    ■ 


-^ 


IH*li|i|.W 


\ 


'■■S>      r''. 


m 


A« 


m 


Among  the  poetical  prodactiuna  of  the  Revolution  ia 
a  school-piece  entitled  "  The  Death  of  Montgomery," 
poblished  by  John  Trumbull,  of  Providence,  in  the  year 
1777.  It  is  far  from  being  uninteresting,  although  the 
poet's  fancy  has  given  Aaron  Burr  an  excellence  alto- 
gether ideal.  Another  curious  poetical  effusion  of  the 
times  was  a  short  political  tract  in  which  the  Ghost  of 
General  Montgomery  was  introduced.  This  was  pub- 
lished in  1776,  as  au  appendix  to  the  third  issue  of 
Paine's  pamphlet  on  "Common  Sense."  Thus  it  ap- 
pears that  it  may  have  been  written  by  Paine,  though 
it  is  not  in  either  of  the  editions  of  his  collected  works. 
It  is  entitled :  "  A  Dialogue  between  the  Ghoat  of 
General  Montgomery,  just  ar-ived  from  the  Elysian 
Fields,  and  an  American  Delegate,  in  a  wood  near  Phil- 
adelphi»i." 

There  are  but  few  relics  of  General  Montgomery  in 
existence  besides  the  papers  we  have  alluded  to,  his 
public  correspondence  preserved  at  Washington,  and 
his  letters  to  General  Schuyler.  His  watch  and  seal, 
removed  from  hiw  person  on  the  field  of  battle,  were 
forwarded  to  Mrs.  Montgomery,  according  to  the  direc- 
tions of  General  Carleton,  and  are  carefully  preserved 
A  sword  said  to  be  hia,  and  lately  on  exhibition  at  the 
Museum  of  Morrin  College  iti  Quebec,  has  been  pur- 
chased and  presented  to  th.^  University  of  Virginia. 
The  only  original  portrait  of  him  is  at  Montgomery 
Place.  It  was  sent  to  Mre.  Montgomery  by  Lady 
Ranelagh,  after  the  death  of  the  General,  and  represents 
him  as  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-five  years,  the  age 
at  which  he  first  left  Irt^land.  The  countenance  is 
frank,  gallant  and  handsome,  and  indicates  a  generous 
and  amiable  disposition. 


a^'-^iMSbi 


